Radial-scissor lift table and method

ABSTRACT

A radial-scissor lift assembly for a table top comprising an upper support member, a lower support member, and at least three scissor assemblies coupled to the upper and lower support members. Each scissor assembly includes a table-scissor member rotatably supporting a table wheel adapted for contacting an unattached table. Each scissor assembly further includes a floor-scissor member rotatably supporting a floor wheel adapted for contacting a surface supporting the radial-scissor lift assembly. The radial-scissor lift assembly has an actuator assembly coupled to the lower support member and to the upper support member for moving the scissor assemblies. A method for lowering a table top comprising disposing a table top on at least three table rollers, and rolling the table rollers along the bottom on the table top and away from the center of the table top to cause the table top to be lowered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present invention broadly relates in general to a table and method.More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide aradial-scissor lift table having a movable top. More specificallyfurther, embodiments of the present invention relate to a method formoving an unattached table top with scissor lift assemblies that arecoupled to an actuator assembly which provides the requisite dynamicforces for elevating and lowering the unattached table top relative to asurface that supports the scissor lift assemblies, such as a floor.

2. Description of the Background Art

A table with movable or adjustable height table top employs a mechanismto raise or lower the table top, which is ideal for compact homes,office work stations, dining and leisure activities in accordance with amodern lifestyle. An adjustable height table offers solutions in today'ssmaller homes, and relaxed office environments. Table height adjustmentis ideal for creating a comfortable working height for a variety of workprojects, human body dimensions, medical handicaps, chair heights, sofadimension, and personal comfort preferences for the users.

A mechanism capable of adjusting from a low Coffee Table height of 14inches, to a conventional Dining Table height of 29 inches, is requiredto cover the full range of positions desired by the user. In order toelevate a movable table top to these heights, the lift assembly would berequired to more than double its initial height. This is difficult toaccomplish with a telescoping design, because telescopes have inherentlimits of motion. A single telescope mechanism is unable to double itsinitial length. Multiple telescopes would be necessary to provide motionfrom 14″ to 29″. This would create a design having numerous overlappingcomponents for both the frame of the machine, and the actuator.Alternatively, a scissor lift mechanism is capable of adjusting beyondthis range of motion. Conventional industrial scissor lifting mechanismsare available, but require complicated coupling brackets to confine thetravelling table-top surface to a coaxial position with a vertical axis.Drill holes in the table surface, to mount tracks, links or brackets tothe surface are undesirable, especially if the table is made of glass orstone. Furthermore, fasteners that penetrate the table top, damage thetop working surface, and reduce the usefulness of the table

Thus, what is needed, and what has been invented, is a table having anunattached top, not requiring multiple tracks, fasteners, or any othercentering devices, to lock the table top to the frame of the liftingassembly. What is further needed and what has been invented is a stableand dependable method for lowering and elevating table tops.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a scissor lift assembly forraising and lowering an unattached table top. The scissor lift assemblyhas at least (3) scissor mechanisms mounted in a polar array. Theassembly has lower and upper support members; each having at least threeradially disposed protruding lugs. The scissor lift assembly also has atleast three scissor assemblies coupled to the upper and lower supportmembers in a polar array. Each scissor assembly comprises atable-scissor member having a lower end pivotally connected to one ofthe lugs of the lower support member and an upper end which supports arotatable table wheel. Each scissor assembly further comprises afloor-scissor member pivotally connected to the table scissor member andhaving an upper end pivotally connected to one of the lugs of the uppersupport member and a lower end which supports a rotatable floor wheel.An actuator assembly is coupled to the lower and upper support membersfor moving the scissor assemblies. The rotatable table wheels of thetable-scissor members support an unattached table top.

Embodiments of the present invention provide further a method forraising a table top. A table top is disposed on at least three tablerollers which are coupled to a support member. The table top remainsunattached to the table rollers. When the support member is movedtowards the unattached table, the table rollers roll along the bottom ofthe unattached table and raise the table top.

These provisions, together with the various ancillary provisions andfeatures which will become apparent to those skilled in the art as thefollowing description proceeds, are attained by the apparatuses andmethods of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof beingshown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of exampleonly, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the radial-scissor liftassembly for an unattached table top.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the radial-scissorlift assembly for an unattached table top.

FIG. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view of an embodiment of aradial-scissor lift assembly having an actuator assembly which haspositioned an unattached table in a lower position;

FIG. 4 is a partial vertical sectional view of an embodiment of aradial-scissor lift assembly having an actuator assembly which haspositioned an unattached table in an elevated position;

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view of the tubular nut memberthreadably engaged to the threaded motor shaft which is rotated by themotor for operating the scissor lift assemblies to raise or lower anunattached table.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an unattached transparent (e.g. glass)table top supported by rotatable table wheels of table-scissor membersof the radial-scissor lift assembly;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken in direction of the arrows 7-7 in FIG.6 of the radial-scissor lift assembly supporting an unattachedtransparent table top in a lowered position.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an unattached transparent (e.g. glass)table top supported by rotatable table wheels mounted to thetable-scissor members of the radial-scissor lift assembly with arrowspointing in the direction of travel for raising the unattached table topinto an elevated position.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the table assembly of FIG. 8 withhorizontal arrows indicating the direction of travel of the rotatabletable wheel members and the rotatable floor wheel members, and thevertical arrow indicating the direction of travel for the unattachedtable top, when the table assembly is to be placed in an elevatedposition by the actuator assembly.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an unattached transparent (e.g. glass)table top supported by the radial-scissor lift assembly in an elevatedposition.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken in direction of the arrows 11-11 inFIG. 10 of the radial-scissor lift assembly supporting the unattachedtransparent table top in an elevated position.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an unattached transparent (e.g. glass)table top supported by rotatable table wheels mounted to thetable-scissor members of the radial-scissor lift assembly with arrowspointing in the direction of travel for lowering the unattached tabletop into a lowered position.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the table assembly of FIG. 12 withhorizontal arrows indicating the direction of travel of the rotatabletable wheel members and the rotatable floor wheel members, and thevertical arrow indicating the direction of travel for the unattachedtable top, when the table assembly is to be placed in a lowered positionby the actuator assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the description herein for embodiments of the present invention,numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of componentsand/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments ofthe present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced withoutone or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems,assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notspecifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects ofembodiments of the present invention.

Referring in detail now to the drawings, there is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2embodiments of a scissor-lift assembly, generally illustrated as 10, forelevating and lowering an unattached table top 8 (see FIGS. 10 and 11).The unattached table top 8 may possess any geometric shape (e.g., squareor circular) and may be made of any material (e.g., wood, metal orglass). For purposes of explaining the present invention, the table top8 is transparent (e.g. glass) and possesses a circular shape. Thecombination of the scissor-lift assembly 10 and the unattached table top8 forms a table 6, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the scissor-lift assembly 10respectively has three (3) and four (4) scissor assemblies, eachgenerally illustrated as 14. It is to be understood that thescissor-lift assembly 10 may have any number of scissor assemblies 14.However, preferably at least three (3) scissor assemblies 14 areemployed so the table 6 is stable.

The scissor-lift assembly 10 also comprises an upper support member 18and a lower support member 22. The upper and lower support members 18and 22 respectively include radially protruding lugs 26 and 30. Thenumber of lugs formed with support members 18 and 22 depend on thenumber of scissor assemblies 14 to be employed. For the embodiment ofthe scissor-lift assembly 10 in FIG. 1, because three scissor assemblies14 (each more specifically identified as 14 a, 14 b and 14 c) are used,upper support member 18 has three lugs 26 (each more specificallyidentified as lugs 26 a, 26 b and 26 c); and lower support member 22likewise has three lugs 30, each more specifically identified as lugs 30a, 30 b and 30 c). As shown in FIG. 1, the scissor assemblies 14 a, 14 band 14 c are pivotally coupled to the upper and lower support members 18and 22 in a polar array. The radially extensions and dispositions of thescissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b and 14 c with respect to each other, areequiangular; that is, the angles between scissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b,between scissor assemblies 14 b, 14 c, and between scissor assemblies 14c, 14 a are essentially equal.

The embodiment of the scissor-lift assembly 10 in FIG. 2 uses fourscissor assemblies 14, each more specifically identified as 14 a, 14 b,14 c and 14 d. Thus, upper support member 18 is formed with four lugs 26(each more specifically identified as lugs 26 a, 26 b, 26 c and 26 d),and lower support member 22 likewise has four lugs 30, each morespecifically identified as lugs 30 a, 30 b, 30 c and 30 d. As shown inFIG. 2, the scissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d are pivotallycoupled to the upper and lower support members 18 and 22 in a polararray. As seen for the scissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b and 14 c in FIG. 1,the radially extensions and dispositions of the scissor assemblies 14 a,14 b, 14 c and 14 d with respect to each other, in FIG. 2 are alsoequiangular. More specifically, the angles between scissor assemblies 14a, 14 b, between scissor assemblies 14 b, 14 c, and between scissorassemblies 14 c, 14 d, and between scissor assemblies 14 d, 14 a areessentially equal.

The scissor-lift assembly 10 further comprises an actuator assembly,generally illustrated as 36, which is coupled to the upper and lowersupport members 18 and 22. The actuator assembly 36 for purposes ofembodiments of the present invention may be any suitable mechanism orsystem that is capable of moving (e.g., raising and lowing) orcontrolling the movement of unattached table top 8.

Typically, actuator assemblies are operated by a control system thattransforms circular or rotary motion into linear motion. Thetransformation may be any suitable converting mechanisms, such aselectrical, mechanical (e.g. rack and pinion), hydraulic or pneumatic,or any other type of converting system. Activation of the control systemmay be by any suitable means, such as by remote control of the typewhich remotely turns on or off a television or other electronic device.

As known to those possessing ordinary skill in the art, a hydraulicactuator consists of a cylinder or fluid motor that uses hydraulic powerto facilitate mechanical operation whose output may be linear, rotary oroscillatory motion. A pneumatic actuator converts energy formed byvacuum or compressed air at high pressure into either linear or rotarymotion. Motors are commonly employed when circular or rotary motions areneeded for transformation into a linear motion.

For purposes of describing the present invention, the actuator assembly36 includes a mechanism which generates a linear motion from a circularmotion created by a conventional electric motor 40 that receives powerthrough a cord 42 (see FIG. 1). However, the actuator assembly 36 is notto be limited to such an actuator assembly. The spirit and scope of thepresent invention is to include any type of actuator assembly which iscapable of raising or lowering unattached table top 8.

The motor 40 is supported by the lower support member 22 (see FIG. 3 byway of example) and includes a stator 44 and a rotor 48. A threadedshaft 52 is coupled to the motor 40 and rotates when the motor 40 isenergized. Bearings 41-41 are conveniently positioned as best shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. The threaded shaft 52 has threads 56 that mesh withthreads 60 of a nut member 64 (see FIG. 5) which connects or is bound toterminal end 57 (see FIG. 4) of a conduit 68 which houses the threadedshaft 52 as it linearly moves, Conduit 68 and nut member 64 form atubular nut assembly.

Conduit 68 also has a terminal end 72 which is stationarly affixed tothe upper support member 18 When motor 40 rotates treaded shaft 52clockwise in direction of arrow D (see FIG. 5), shaft 52 commences tolinearly move in direction of the arrow A, causing the conduit 68 tobegin linearly accepting the shaft 52 as it linearly travels internallywithin conduit 68 in direction of the arrow B. As threaded shaft 52linearly moves in direction of the arrow A, the motor 40 appended to andassociated with the shaft 52 linearly moves with the shaft 52, causingthe lower support member 22 attached to the motor 40 to follow the motor40 towards nut member 64.

Simultaneously with clockwise rotation of threaded shaft 52, and thelinear movement of the shaft 52 in direction of the arrow B withinconduit 68, there is a secondary dynamic force moving conduit 68 indirection of the arrow C (see FIG. 5) and towards motor 40. Any frictionor resistance in movement of the motor 40 towards nut member 64 wouldcause the nut member 64, along with the conduit 68 and upper supportmember 18 secured to the terminal end 72 of the conduit 68, to travel indirection of the arrow C in FIG. 5. In the event motor 40 and the lowersupport member 22 coupled to the motor 40, remained stationary, nutmember 64 and conduit 68 (and attached upper support member 18) wouldsolely move in direction of arrow C in FIG. 5 as shaft 52 rotates.Typically, motor 40 and lower support member 22, do not remainstationary. Thus, rotating shaft 52 causes a dual dynamic force; oneforcing the motor 40 and lower support member 22 to move in direction ofthe arrow A (see FIG. 5); the other forcing the nut member 64, theconduit 68 connected to the nut member 64, and the upper support member18 coupled to the conduit 68, to move in direction of the arrow C. Thus,upper and lower support members 18 and 22 movement towards each othercaused by the clockwise rotating shaft 52, produces dual dynamic forces.As will be further explained hereafter, rotation of shaft 52 clockwise(in direction of the arrow D) by the motor 40 causes the scissor-liftassembly 10 to be placed in the collapsed or lowered positionillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9, which concomitantly postures theunattached table 8 in a lowered position.

As will also be further explained hereafter, reversing the entireforegoing procedure would cause the scissor-lift assembly 10 to bepositioned in an expanded or elevated state, as illustrated in FIG. 11.More specifically, reversing the procedure entails inter alia causingmotor 40 to rotate shaft 52 counter-clockwise (i.e., in direction ofarrow E in FIG. 5). This causes shaft 52 to linearly move in directionof the arrow F, and conduit 68 to move oppositely; that is, in directionof arrow G (see FIG. 5 again). Movement of the shaft 52 and conduit 68accordingly, results in upper and lower support members 18 and 22 movingaway from each other, causing the scissor-lift assembly 10 to beeventually disposed in an elevated position, such as that shown in FIGS.11 and 12. This places unattached table 8 in an elevated or raisedposition as also shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. It is to be understood thatthe present invention is not to restrict or limit the placement ofunattached table 8 in only two positions, i.e., the positions shown inFIGS. 9 and 11. By controlling the operation of the motor 40, unattachedtable 8 may be postured in any position between the lowermost shown inFIG. 9 and the uppermost shown in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, scissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b, and 14 c respectivelyhave table-scissor members 74, 78 and 82, and floor-scissor members 86,90 and 94. Table-scissor members 74, 78 and 82 rotatably support tablewheels 98, 102 and 106 at respective upper extremities 110, 116 and 118.Points 112, 114, and 120 are pivot points for table-scissor members 74,78 and 82, against floor-scissor members 86, 90 and 94 so whentable-scissor members 74, 78 and 82 simultaneously move relative to eachother at points 112, 114 and 120, movement is in a scissor-like fashion.As best shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, table wheels 98, 102 and 106 supportunattached table top 8.

Lower extremities 126, 130 and 134 of table-scissor members 74, 78 and82 couple to lugs 30 a, 30 b and 30 c of lower support member 22 atpivot points 338, 342 and 346. Upper extremities 138, 142 and 146 offloor-scissor members 86, 90 and 94 couple to lugs 26 a, 26 b and 30 cat pivot points 150, 154 and 158. As best shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7,floor-scissor members 86, 90 and 94 rotatably support floor wheels 162,166 and 170, at respective lower extremities 174, 178 and 182. Floorwheels 162, 166 and 170 roll on a floor 168 for supporting the table 6.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in addition to the scissor assemblies of 14 a,14 b and 14 c, there is seen scissor assembly 14 d having table-scissormember 200 and floor-scissor member 204. Table-scissor member 200rotatably supports table wheel 208 at upper extremity 212. The pivotpoint where table-scissor member 200 pivots against floor-scissor member204 for moving table-scissor member 200 and floor-scissor member 204relative to each other in a scissor-like fashion is not shown. As shownin FIGS. 3 and 4, table wheel 208 supports unattached table top 8. Lowerextremity 220 of table-scissor member 200 couples to lug 30 d at pivotpoint 280 and the upper extremity 240 of floor-scissor member 204couples to lug 26 d at pivot point 288. The lower extremity 250 offloor-scissor member 204 rotatably supports floor wheel 254 which rollson the floor 168 for supporting the table 6.

Referring now to the drawings for operation of the scissor lift assembly10 of the present invention, the three wheel scissor assemblies 14 a, 14b and 14 c will be employed to explain the operation; however, it is tobe understood that the four wheel scissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b, 14 cand 14 d operate similarly or identically to the three wheel scissorassemblies 14 a, 14 b and 14 c with the exception that the three wheelscissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b, and 14 c excludes the additionallyscissor assembly 14 d.

There is seen in FIGS. 3 and 7 scissor-lift assembly 10 in the loweredposition, supporting unattached table 8 on table wheels 98, 102 and 106.In order to elevate the unattached table 8 to the elevated positionillustrated in FIG. 11, motor 40 is turned on and then activated,causing treaded shaft 52 to commence rotating counter-clockwise indirection of arrow E (see FIG. 5). As shaft 52 rotatescounter-clockwise, it begins to move in the linear direction representedby arrow F in FIG. 5, withdrawing from within conduit 68 and causingmotor 40, and the lower support member 22 attached to the motor 40, totravel away from conduit 68 and the upper support member 18 secured toconduit 68. As conduit 68 and the upper support member 18 move away frommotor 40 and the lower support member 22, the scissor assemblies 14 a,14 b and 14 c begin opening, and table wheels 98, 102 and 106 and floorwheels 162, 166 and 170 to respectively move in direction of arrows Hand arrows J, and unattached table 8 to move indirection of arrow K (seeFIG. 9).

When scissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b and 14 c are opening, table-scissormembers 74, 78 and 82 (and their respective associated table wheels 98,102 and 106) and floor-scissor members 86, 90 and 94 (and theirrespective associated floor wheels 162, 166 and 170) pivot about pivotpoints 112, 114 and 120 and are moving away from each other.Simultaneously, lower extremities 126, 130 and 134 of table-scissormembers 74, 78 and 82 pivot on lugs 30 a, 30 b and 30 c of lower supportmember 22 at pivot points 338, 342 and 346; and upper extremities 138,142 and 146 of floor-scissor member members 86, 90 and 94 pivot on lugs26 a, 26 b and 26 c at pivot points 150, 154 and 158. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, as the scissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b and 14c move towards the open position, table rollers 98, 102 and 106 arerolling along the bottom of unattached table 8 towards centrallydisposed actuator assembly 36, and unattached table 8 is moving upwardlyin direction of the arrow K. In a further preferred embodiment of theinvention, as table wheels 98, 102 and 106 move respectively away fromfloor wheels 162, 166 and 170, the hubs of the wheels remain ingenerally vertically aligned along the dashed-lined arrows 210 and 216,as best shown in FIGS. 3 and FIG. 4. Movements continue until unattachedtable 8 reaches the elevated position illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.Motor 40 then automatically turns off and deactivated, or motor 40 maybe manually turned off.

Continuing to refer to the drawings for reversing the procedure to lowerthe unattached table 8 from the elevated position illustrated in FIG. 11to the collapsed or lowered position illustrated in FIG. 7, motor 40 isturned on and then activated to cause treaded shaft 52 to commencerotating clockwise in direction of arrow D (see FIG. 5). As shaft 52rotates clockwise, it begins to move in the linear direction representedby arrow F in FIG. 5, gradually entering conduit 68 and causing motor40, and the lower support member 22 attached to the motor 40, to traveltowards the lower support member 22 supporting motor 40. As conduit 68and the upper support member 18 towards motor 40 and the lower supportmember 22, the scissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b and 14 c begin closing, andtable wheels 98, 102 and 106 and floor wheels 162, 166 and 170 torespectively move in direction of arrows M and arrows P, and unattachedtable to move indirection of arrow R (see FIG. 12).

When scissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b and 14 c are closing, table-scissormembers 74, 78 and 82 (and their respective associated table wheels 98,102 and 106) and floor-scissor members 86, 90 and 94 (and theirrespective associated floor wheels 162, 166 and 170) pivot about pivotpoints 112, 114 and 120 and are moving towards from each other.Simultaneously, lower extremities 126, 130 and 134 of table-scissormembers 74, 78 and 82 pivot on lugs 30 a, 30 b and 30 c of lower supportmember 22 at pivot points 338, 342 and 346; and upper extremities 138,142 and 146 of floor-scissor members 86, 90 and 94 pivot on lugs 26 a,26 b and 30 c at pivot points 150, 154 and 158. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, as the scissor assemblies 14 a, 14 b and 14c move towards the closed position, table rollers 98, 102 and 106 arerolling along the bottom of unattached table 8 away from centrallydisposed actuator assembly 36, and unattached table 8 is movingdownwardly in direction of the arrow R. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention, as table wheels 98, 102 and 106 move respectively towardfloor wheels 162, 166 and 170, the hubs of the wheels remain ingenerally vertically aligned along the dashed-lined arrows 210 and 216,as best shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Movements continue until unattachedtable 8 reaches the lowered position illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 9. Motor40 then either automatically (or is manually) turned off.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and notnecessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of thephrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specificembodiment” in various places throughout this specification are notnecessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics of any specificembodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitablemanner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood thatother variations and modifications of the embodiments of the presentinvention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of theteachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit andscope of the present invention.

Additionally, any directional arrows in the drawings/Figures should beconsidered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwisespecifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein isgenerally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated.Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as beingnoted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability toseparate or combine is unclear.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,“a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein andthroughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and“on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the presentinvention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to thepresent invention in light of the foregoing description of illustratedembodiments of the present invention and are to be included within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

Thus, while the present invention has been described herein withreference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification,various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoingdisclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances somefeatures of embodiments of the invention will be employed without acorresponding use of other features without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications maybe made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essentialscope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular terms used in followingclaims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within thescope of the appended claims.

1. A radial-scissor lift assembly for a table top comprising: an uppersupport member; a lower support member; a table top having a bottom; atleast three scissor assemblies coupled to the upper and lower supportmembers; an actuator assembly coupled to the lower support member and tothe upper support member for moving the scissor assemblies; each scissorassembly including a table-scissor member rotatably supporting a tablewheel, each said table wheel contacts the bottom of the table top forsupporting the table top and for radially moving on the bottom of thetable top towards or away from the upper support member; and eachscissor assembly further including a floor-scissor member rotatablysupporting a floor wheel, each said floor wheel contacts a surfacesupporting the radial-scissor lift assembly and is adapted for radiallymoving on the surface towards or away from the lower support member. 2.The radial-scissor lift assembly of claim 1 wherein said table top isdisposed on said table wheels and remain continually spaced from theupper support member when the actuator assembly moves the table wheelsand floor wheels relative to each other.
 3. The radial-scissor liftassembly of claim 1 wherein the upper support member and the lowersupport member are vertically aligned; said upper support membercomprises a structure defining at least three upper protruding lugs, andthe lower support member comprises a structure defining at least threelower protruding lugs, and said three scissor assemblies are pivotallycoupled to the upper lugs and to the lower lugs.
 4. The radial-scissorlift assembly of claim 1 wherein said three scissor assemblies comprisesa first scissor assembly, a second scissor assembly and a thirdassembly, and the angle between the first and second assemblies, and theangle between the second and third assemblies, and the angle between thethird and first table assemblies are essentially equal.
 5. (canceled) 6.The radial-scissor lift assembly of claim 1 herein the table scissormember is pivotally connected to the floor-scissor member.
 7. Theradial-scissor lift assembly of claim 3 wherein said table scissormembers are pivotally connected the lower protruding lugs, and saidfloor scissor members are pivotally connected to the upper protrudinglugs.
 8. The radial-scissor lift assembly of claim 1 wherein saidactuator assembly moves the lower support member away from or toward theupper support member.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled) 12.The radial-scissor lift assembly of claim 1 additionally comprising aconduit member affixed to the upper support member and includes aninternal cylindrical surface.
 13. The radial-scissor lift assembly ofclaim 12 wherein said actuator assembly comprises a shaft that engagesthe internal cylindrical surface of the conduit member and is adaptedfor moving linearly therein.
 14. The radial-scissor lift assembly ofclaim 8 additionally comprising a conduit member affixed to the uppersupport member and includes an internal cylindrical surface.
 15. Theradial-scissor lift assembly of claim 14 wherein said actuator assemblycomprises a shaft that engages the internal cylindrical surface of theconduit member and is adapted for moving linearly therein, and movementof the upper and lower support members towards each other is caused byclockwise rotation of the shaft.
 16. The radial-scissor lift assembly ofclaim 1 wherein each table wheel includes a table-wheel hub, each floorwheel includes a floor-wheel hub, and said table-wheel hubs andfloor-wheel hubs are vertically aligned and remain vertically aligned assaid table wheels and floor wheels radially move.
 17. (canceled) 18.(canceled)
 19. (canceled)